For a limited period, the Mos Burger Osaki store is trying out the alter-ego robot "OriHime" only from 14:00 to 18:00 on weekdays for about a month from July 27 (Monday) to late August. The robot will carry out salesclerk operations while actually serving customers, such as by guiding customers through menus and conducting customer service via remote control.

The robot “OriHime” is a remote-controlled robot that the Orii Research Institute has been developing since 2012 so that people who have difficulty going out can participate in the outside world, such as school and work. And at the Mos Food Service, which Mos Burger is a part of, they introduced semi-self-checkout in November 2018 and full self-checkout in December 2019 at some stores, and have been working to resolve labor shortages.

The height of the cute OriHime robot is about 23 cm, and it is expected to play an active role in remote areas as the alter-ego or alternative for people who have difficulty going out due to social disabilities such as parenting, nursing, and physical disabilities. Dependent on the results of this trial period with OriHime, there could be plans to start using automated robots for other applications such as drive-throughs within 2020.

QBIT Robotics' automatic transfer robot "PEANUT" was introduced at "THE GALLEY SEAFOOD & GRILL" (operated by Mikasa Kaikan), an order-style salad bar restaurant that opened in Tamagawa Takashimaya on July 6th. This way, robots can deliver the salad straight to your seat without any contact with staff!

THE GALLEY SEAFOOD & GRILL is a store that offers grilled dishes made with carefully selected ingredients such as seafood and steaks, as well as an order-style salad bar. Two automatic transfer robots play an active role in the store, delivering the ordered salad to your seat.

At the Mikasa Kaikan (the administrative company) for several years, they have been exploring new forms of IT innovation in their restaurants. And now with the spread of coronavirus and the “new normal,” they have decided to take that opportunity to try out the robot from QBIT Robotics to create a safer salad bar.

QBIT Robotics is engaged in various robots that have been introduced in "Weird Café (Hen na Cafe)" and "Zerokenme Robo Bar". In the future, they have mentioned that they might try out robotics for birthday celebrations and dish cleaning (you’ve got to clean up after the party, after all)!

In June 2020, Smart Robotics introduced a “sterilization robot” to medical treatment facilities to aid patients of the coronavirus (mostly for mild symptoms only) in Kanagawa Prefecture. Setting up a route for the robot results in a successful sterilization of the area.

The "sterilization robot" used is equipped with a disinfectant UV lamp that emits disinfectant UV rays (ultraviolet UV-C wavelength 254 nm) that have a sterilizing effect. There were reports in Japan and overseas that UV-C irradiation was effective in sterilizing the coronavirus (virus name: SARS-CoV-2), so the company worked with the "Coronavirus Infection Kanagawa Prefectural Headquarters" to create a proof-of-concept.

In this proof-of-concept experiment, the remote control of the "sterilization robot" was performed from the Countermeasures Headquarters floor (3F). While checking on the operation screen whether there are people nearby, and whether UV-C irradiation is being executed accurately at the target location, the best route is selected for successful sterilization. When a wipe test was performed before and after UV-C irradiation, the measured value after UV-C irradiation showed that it removed 59-83% of the infection, confirming the bactericidal (anti-bacterial) effect of UV-C irradiation.

GROOVE X, a robot startup that created the pet robot "LOVOT", is introducing LOVOT to all 242 children attending Oji Daini Elementary School in Kita Ward, Tokyo for a trial period from June 25 to the beginning of October.

In this proof-of-concept, the idea is to improve the students’ mental wellbeing, and the development of compassion that have taken a hit in the strange times of the coronavirus. With disruptions such as suspended school studies and remote classes, another purpose is to spark an interest in programming and technology. LOVOT has already been introduced in 26 kindergartens and preschools, but this is the first time it has been introduced in elementary schools.

In the classes that have already been held, the children first learn what kind of robot LOVOT is with a picture book. So, when LOVOT enters the classroom many children will get very excited and start calling out "LOVOT!". Beforehand the rules for coming into contact with LOVOT were discussed with the children, and the meaning of the “3 Cs” (closed spaces, crowds, close contact). Even when it was time to touch and play with the LOVOT, the children followed the rules that had been set, and children waited for their turn.

On July 21st, Mr. Kaname Hayashi, GROOVE X CEO, gave an online class, talking to the children about technology. In July and September, they plan to conduct a questionnaire survey for children, parents and teachers.